Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Conister support Youth Scholarship

An acclaimed initiative that promotes young
people’s development is being supported by Conister Bank for the second year
running. The Youth Scholarship Development and Leadership Programme, which is
run by outdoor sports centre Adventurous Experience, is designed to foster key
life skills in school students in the Isle of Man. Conister’s continued support
has enabled Adventurous Experiences to deliver an even more effective programme
this year.

Coaching People, Changing Perspectives

Delivered by Adventurous Experiences, in association with Conister Bank.

The programme – which has been a finalist in
the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence (2014 & 2015, Corporate Social Responsibility
category) - sees a group of Year 12 students undertake 18 months of regular,
challenging training before embarking on a three-week self-sufficient expedition
in Vancouver Island. In Easter 2016, the students will circumnavigate the Isle
of Man by sea kayak as part of their training. They will then head to Canada in
July 2016 for the wilderness adventure of a lifetime!Through their training and expedition, the students
hone a range of skills that carry benefits far beyond the challenge itself.
These include teamwork, self-confidence, dealing with adversity, dynamic
planning and risk/benefit analysis.

Keirron Tastagh, owner of Adventurous
Experiences, is proud of what the young people bring to and gain from the
challenge: “The programme epitomises what can be achieved with a long-term team
building initiative, using experiential education and real risk management
understanding. We seek to continue our support after
the expedition, with individuals from previous intakes being selected to join
our coaching team as a trainee, progressing to a qualified coach. Some then go
on to start their own innovative businesses."

Programme manager, John Keggin, adds, “Our mantra ‘Coaching People, Changing
Perspectives’ is especially apt for the Youth Scholarship Programme. As our
main community project – established before the business itself - it is also a
focal point for our long-term strategy to raise the level of outdoor skills and
safety on the Island.”

Students
who have participated in the programme often stay in touch with Adventurous
Experiences when they move forward in life, offering powerful feedback about
how they benefited from the challenge. Fergus Veale says, “I’ve learnt how to be more of a team
player and how to compromise more, adjusting myself for those who need help.”
Rebecca Goodson found that the skills she acquired have been valuable in her
working life: “The values which I learnt through my own
experiences as a participant were just as applicable in a leadership role.” Sam
Murphy, meanwhile, saw a positive impact on his character across the board: “I learned how to be independent, make my
own decisions, and take responsibility for my actions. My attitude,
physicality, mental fortitude, dedication and desire to succeed have all
drastically improved.”

The ongoing support of Conister Bank has played
an invaluable role in allowing Adventurous Experiences to develop and enhance
the programme, ensuring that the students receive maximum benefit – as well, of
course, as enjoying an unforgettable experience. This year, Conister Bank is
also providing each participant with a lightweight waterproof jacket, leaving
them with one less item on their kit list!

Adventurous
Experiences is an adventure sports centre enjoying its 12th year,
delivering professional outdoor training and experiences on the Isle of Man. The philosophy is
unique both in its approach to training – in which all stakeholders share
values while engaging in challenging outdoor activities – and using that
dynamic environment to change perspectives.

The community
projects delivered by Adventurous Experiences assist evidence-based decision-making,
bringing long-term solutions to current social, environmental, health and
community needs.